Good Night

I hope you had a wonderful day. I hope the sunshine warmed your heart and soul. Today was one more day of learning what you want, and maybe even what you don’t want. I just ask you this one thing for tonight. In a world full of anxious souls, be intentional about finding your peace. Light a candle. Write a letter. Say a prayer. Do them all or just one thing that will set you apart from the chaos. Tonight, it’s not your chaos. Let it go.

What kind of things do you do to find peace inside yourself?

Writing Space

I’ve finally moved my writing space to the kitchen table, but now my writing space is more of a shared space. So, some distractions come and go, especially during summer. I think once we’re back in school, I’ll have more quiet time to write. I’m okay with the kitchen table being my desk, but I’ve always dreamed of a writing space. I’ve even tried to utilize different areas of my home.

Now that I’m writing this, I think it gives me a creative outlet to make spaces for myself in different rooms of my home.

How’s your writing space? Are you at the kitchen table like me?

Random Thoughts

This weekend has been full of Self care and rest for me. Naps, soup, Hydrating, some retail therapy, bath w/ candles, and time with my girls, husband, and a friend. All of it has been fun! I’ve learned myself a little better. I’ve learned what I don’t want. So now I know better what I do want.

How was your weekend?

Random Thought

Beware of those who celebrate your downfall.

But

Those who walk with you in the dark and celebrate with you in the light, those are you people even if only for a season.

Novelists

There’s a million ways to say one thing. Don’t get into a place where you’re stuck feeling like you have to say something a certain way. Your thoughts are unique and what you have to say is important. People will literally find ways to make themselves feel more comfortable. It’s one thing to receive critical feedback. I’ve been in writing workshops and groups for ten years, there is a very clear difference between someone who is genuinely giving you feedback to see you improve and from a place of confidence vs someone who has an over inflated ego and just wants to make you feel small as a writer because “They can do it.” Find your voice, use your voice, and let the little people fall away.

Keep Writing

Novel Writing

It’s interesting to know that there’s other people like me out there who want to be novelists. I mean I felt the calling since I was young, but I let the world tell me that novel writing is just a hobby. They say things like, novel writing is something you do when you retire, but that’s a lie. Lies that I let dictate my life choices. Once I decided to write, things all began to change inside me. Art is literally the gift of life. It adds a dimension to life that without it we’d be nothing more than machines. Yes yes I know that AI can compile art from our past and mix it all together into some sort of Bot soup but it is the act of creating that takes some of us on a journey. A journey that forever changes us. Does art bring value to an AI’s life? Does art forever change a robot’s neural networks? I really don’t know the answer to that. What I do know is that if I’m called to write, I’m going to do it regardless of what’s shifting and moving around me.

What are you called to do?

Romance

I think I’m going to add a little romance into my novel. It will give my novel dimension and make it more interesting. It’s not going to be a romance novel. It will just have elements of romance added to it. I’m not sure how I’m going to do this yet, but I think I might pull out some of my old prose poetry from the past for inspiration. I’m rolling my eyes over here because I’ve ventured so far away from romantic writing it hurts me. I’m excited but also overwhelmed by the idea. But hopefully I can get a good chunk done and rewrite my ending one more time. hahaha I don’t think I have to rewrite the whole ending. Just add and change things around.

It’s gunna be fun 😬

World Building -For Beginners

In the past I’ve mentioned that I prefer to write Character Led but I do want to develop my world building skills. I think the best way for me to do it, is to set my world up and work on it everyday until I know every nook and cranny by memory. Then allow my natural writing style to be unleashed.

I believe that where you feel unsure about the world and/or characters as the writer, it can come through in the writing. With that being said, I do think it’s important to leave some room for imagination. Just because I know every nook and cranny doesn’t mean I have to share every detail. I think that’s where skill comes in. When you learn to share just enough to keep the reader engaged.

I asked Gemini to make me a World Building Worksheet for Beginners. I wanted to share. Have Fun!

Worldbuilding Worksheet

Basic Information

  • World Name:
  • Genre: (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historical, etc.)
  • Overall Tone: (Dark, Lighthearted, Serious, etc.)

Geography

  • Landmasses: Size, shape, climate, resources
  • Bodies of Water: Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes
  • Terrain: Mountains, plains, forests, deserts, etc.
  • Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions
  • Magical Geography: (If applicable) Any magical properties or features of the land

Culture and Society

  • Civilizations: Major cities, ruling powers, government structure
  • Technology Level: (Primitive, Medieval, Modern, Futuristic)
  • Economy: Currency, trade, resources
  • Religion: Major deities, beliefs, rituals, holy places
  • Social Structure: Classes, castes, gender roles
  • Customs and Traditions: Holidays, ceremonies, etiquette
  • Language(s): Common tongue, dialects, writing systems

Inhabitants

  • Humanoid Races: Physical characteristics, cultures, relationships
  • Non-Humanoid Races: Physical characteristics, cultures, relationships
  • Magic Users: Types of magic, training, social status
  • Technology Users: Levels of expertise, social status

History

  • Creation Myth: How the world was formed
  • Major Historical Events: Wars, revolutions, discoveries
  • Time Periods: Eras, calendars
  • Founding Myths: Origin stories of civilizations

Conflict and Plot

  • Central Conflict: The main problem or challenge
  • Antagonist(s): Opposing forces
  • Protagonist(s): Main characters and their goals
  • Potential Story Arcs: Possible plotlines

Additional Notes

  • Unique Elements: What sets your world apart?
  • Inspiration: Where did your ideas come from?
  • Visuals: Sketches, maps, character designs

Remember: This worksheet is a starting point. Feel free to add or remove sections as needed. The most important thing is to have fun and let your imagination run wild!

Would you like to focus on a specific genre or aspect of worldbuilding?

Focus on What Brings You Joy

There are just as many amazing and joyful things in life as there are depressing things. If you can find a million things that bring you down, you can find just as many or even more that bring you up! It doesn’t have to be super annoying and glamorous. It just has to bring you joy. Someone found joy from a dandelion growing in a concrete crack. Someone else found joy from overhearing a mom tell her children she loves them. Your joy is yours to make as big or as small as you need. Give yourself permission to let the sad times guide you toward your joy.

Gentle reminder: Something I had to learn was that it’s ok to be ok in midst of the storm.